We were lucky to catch up with Drew Dawson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Drew thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

This question makes me think about “the trickster” archetype in mythology. The trickster is often misunderstood and reprimanded for being controversial, breaking that status quo or generally being mischievous. However, there is a secret super power hidden in the trickster that is often overlooked – by breaking conventions, the trickster finds something new, and over time the rest of the group learns from this breakthrough. In other words, it takes a trickster to create new ways of doing things, which pushes the whole group forward.

Interestingly, tricksters have a dualistic nature. They are often seen as persona non grata because of their talent for creating drama all around them, yet they have a very important role in society. The trickster is often misunderstood. Now you could easily say that this is something borrowed from fairy tales and myths, that the trickster has no bearing on the real world. However, myth exists because we needed a way to frame the world we see day today; to put structure in what we value as a society. So it makes sense that in myth we have tricksters, because in the real world we do have tricksters too. The number one misconception would be the unacknowledged benevolence and sincerity in all tricksters. They are deeply connected to all around them, almost in a spiritual sense, and they seek to improve the world through wandering in the unknown.

I can think of a few times that I myself have felt misunderstood or mischaracterized in my work or in my day to day life. It is very natural to have negative emotions around these moments, but I try to remind myself that these thoughts are not my own and in a certain way, and being misunderstood is to be in good company.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a filmmaker and cinematographer living in Los Angeles. I have been working in the film industry since 2009. I started my work as a professional camera person in Detroit, Michigan and moved to Los Angeles in 2012 to future peruse a career in filmmaking.

Over the years I have shot commercials for many fashion and beauty brands, as well as music videos for many artists. I have had a number of short films screen at festivals all over. However, the greatest joy I have found in my work would be the places it has taken me. I could never in a thousand years imagine all the remote places I have found myself with a camera. The travel has been a real joy, and the thing that keeps me going through the difficult moments. I hope to have more opportunities like this in the future.

As of late, I have been learning new real time rendering 3D programs, like Unreal Engine, and am currently seeking ways to apply this knowledge to traditional or non-traditional styles of filmmaking and animation.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Sure, there have been many changes over the years. I am actually in the middle of what feels like a rather large “pivot”. For all of my professional career I have been working as a film worker. I started as a camera assistant in 2009 and since 2018 have been working as a cinematographer full time. I always thought that once I could shoot movies, I would be set! However, for many reasons that would take too long to explain here, it seems as though my path isn’t so crystal clear….there is something more calling to me that is still quite illusive.

I have decided to take action by learning new skills. Currently, I am educating myself on how to make films with emergent computer technology. One example would be utilizing Unreal Engine, which seems to be “up next” for the film industry. It already has been widely adopted by filmmakers for what we are calling “in camera visual effects” or ICVFX, however the program can be tapped to make fully animated projects as well. I am not sure where I will land with this new skillset, but I am excited each day to learn and grow the skills.

Part of the fun is the mystery of it all. Where could this take me? Could I find myself discovering something new for myself or for other filmmakers? It is possible that the answer is purely to enjoy the time and follow the bliss.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I have had to get very clear about this the past few years. Often in the past, when someone would ask me why I work in film, my answer would be something something along the lines of “film is a great way to tell story”. Yet, lately, I have challenged myself to think more deeply about “story”, what is the fundamental purpose of “story”? What is the meaning of “story” in our anthropological development? Why do we keep it around?

The best answer I have found for me is this: “story” has always existed because groups of cooperating people need to find a consensus around rules, and a way in which we will edify the newcomers to the tribe. So from this perspective “story” has an incredible meaning – it is the glue that keeps us all together. And when you have fractured story, or many versions of story about the same subject, there is less consensus and things fall apart.

So, with all that in mind, whether it is film, or theater, a novel, or a video game for that matter, our friend Story has been there for us, keeping things together. So to answer the question, the mission that drives me is to be a servant to Story, while also helping others on their missions to cultivate Story that helps us all find a way back to the group mentality.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.drewdawson.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewdawson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dpdawson/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew–dawson/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/drewdawson

Image Credits
Benjamin Dell Lance Mokma